Their group of 5 headed back to the dorms. It seemed that the triplets already had all their other school supplies and Michael couldn't afford to buy anything. Maybe if he asked his master nicely, he'd give him the basic supplies he needed for classes. As for a familiar, he'd likely have to take whatever he could get. At the very least, he could do some research on how to tame one.
When they reached their rooms, Michael made up an excuse to take his leave. He did so in a hurry, for the family seemed to talk more than anyone he had ever met. He wasn't entirely sure where Master Robin's room was, but it had to be in the same building. Combined with what he'd been told at his testing, he could safely assume his master had one of end rooms like him.
Since there were no names on any of the doors, he had to go floor by floor. As a result, he ended up meeting a great number of his professors. Master Delta lived immediately above him. He was a lively, willowy man with an easy-going attitude. He explained that he was head of the Water Magic Department (WMD for short) and that students on his floor were largely of the same affinity.
Master Cole lived on the next floor. He was understanding once he heard of Michael's plight, but was unable to offer help- something about rocking out? Something was going on in his room, for it was rather loud, but Michael couldn't discern what it was. The master introduced himself as head of the Earth Magic Department and promptly shut the door to get back to whatever project he was working on.
The fourth floor housed Master Mari. She was small but energetic, bouncing around the room even as she introduced herself to him. He got to meet her familiar, a small angel-like creature called Devine that loved head scratches. Master Mari commanded the Air Magic Department and nearly all students with an affinity for the magic were housed on her floor.
The next room he visited was home to Master Dawn. Despite her pleasant-sounding name, she sounded like a rather tough teacher. She had left an assignment under the door of each room on her floor and required her charges to complete it before the headmaster's speech. Some of them hadn't even moved in yet! She had a dry, dark sense of humor to match her Pitch Darkness Discipline and was in charge of the Darkness Magic Department.
Expecting to see the head of either the light or fire department on the next floor, Michael was caught off-guard when his master opened the door. "You finally got here boy. I've been expecting you for hours! We're short on time and have a great deal to prepare. I see you've got your uniform on. Were the clothes I bought you not good enough? Well, it's no real matter. Everyone will know you're special soon enough. Let me grab my badge and we'll be on our way."
"Master, are you the head of one of the departments? I haven't met the Heads of Fire or Light, yet." Though he was glad his master was willing to buy him his supplies, there were quite a few unanswered questions that he still had.
"No, no. Nothing like that. Think of me as a buffer between the normal floors and the certain disaster that looms overhead. Light and fire are fickle magics and mishaps are common. To limit the destruction, they've been placed at the top of the dormitories. Normally water would be right below them, but things got moved around a bit this year. Don't mind that, though. Let's go get you some school supplies!"
The pair headed back the way that Michael had gone with the triplets and their mother. As they walked, he told his master about his new friends and asked what the first floor was for.
"Talent, my boy. The first floor is for talent. Those most likely to make an impact on the world get the best rooms. Those triplets next to you- yes, I saw you running around with them from my room -are all prime candidates for tri-mages. They've only shown an affinity for earth and fire so far, but their lineage is well known. You'll find the rest of your floor is much the same. Only those talented in multiple magics or with the affinity for three or more make the cut."
Oh. That explained a lot. It made sense, really. Any for-profit school would prioritize those most likely to make them look good and give them money, regardless of what world it was on. He would do well to stay on good terms with them all, though he had a feeling that there'd be some difficulties once they found out about his special treatment.
They entered the small, round shop that Michael had noticed before. A sign above the door read, "Bartholomew's Barrel of Magical Bargains". Master Robin led him first to a row of staves and wands. "See these? Junk. Any good mage can use magic without them. You're better off learning the proper way. Never use these." Then he headed over to the shelves of books.
"These are what you really want. Good old-fashioned spell-books. Anything you learn can be copied down inside them and they're great for safely experimenting with new spells. You'll be needing quite a few of these." Master Robin picked up ten thick books, all in different colors, and tossed them into the shopping cart they'd grabbed on their way in.
"A broom is good for most mages, but you have an air affinity and will never need one. Your money is better spent on these," he said, turning to a pile of gemstones. "Magestones allow you to channel, store or imbue magic and mana into them. Once you've learned the basics, you'll be able to enchant nearly any item so long as you've got one of these. I'll start you with a couple sapphires, two emeralds and a bundle of quartz. Higher quality stones hold better, but it's best to start with the quartz. They accept all magics and are far more forgiving."
The gemstones went into the cart and the pair moved on. "Never underestimate the importance of a needle. Your clothes may be made with magic and enchanted, but a well-enchanted needle will take you far." In went a handful of needles and Michael was whisked away to another part of the store.
"All those professors of yours love quills, but they're a pain in the butt if you ask me. These inkstones are far more reliable. Don't worry, I'll show you how to enchant them myself." By this point, Michael's cart looked rather different than that of all the other students. Undeterred by the strange looks of other shoppers, Master Robin charged the items to his account and guided Michael to the familiar store he had entered before.
"Rule number one, never buy what they advertise. Those familiars in the windows? Common breeds of mediocre talent. Even the better ones that are tucked away are only half-decent. What you really want is to tame one yourself in the breeding grounds. To that end..." Michael's master led him to the front of the store.
"A silverbound cage, please, and ten meters of enchanted cable. The boy will be catching his own. Oh, he'll need a beginner's taming skillbook and greenbill bait, too. Thank you very much. Charge it to my account." These items went into the cart, too, which had followed them from the previous store. Master Robin handed the small book to Michael. "Read this. You'll need it soon. We'll set out tomorrow to catch you a good familiar."
Before he knew it, his shopping was complete and they had returned to his dormroom. "Remember boy, you need to memorize everything in that skillbook. When I see you tomorrow, wear your uniform and bring that sword I got you. There's a good chance you'll be needing them."
With a flick of his hand, Master Robin disappeared from Michael's room with only a small bit of smoke to remember him by. Time to get to reading.